Trouble Inside The City
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | February 15, 2026
On February 15, 2026, Pastor Bill Rains continues the 2026 theme “The Need For Nehemiahs” with a sobering message titled “Trouble Inside The City” from Nehemiah 5:1–19. Up to now, opposition came from outside—Sanballat, Tobiah, and surrounding nations mocked and conspired. But chapter 5 reveals a deeper danger: trouble **inside** the city. Wealthier Jews exploited their brethren during famine—charging usury, seizing lands, vineyards, homes, even selling families into servitude. A great cry rose from the people and their wives against their own Jewish brothers. Pastor Rains: “Problems inside the city are worse than from outside. The devil never destroys a church from without—it’s always from within.” Carnality, selfishness, and “I want my way” attitudes cause internal ruin.
1. Problems Arising from Within
Famine forced families to mortgage lands, borrow for taxes, sell children into bondage. Wealthier Jews charged exorbitant interest, profiting off desperation. Pastor Rains: “A man will do anything for his hungry family. A mom will give her last piece of pie. But they took advantage—50% interest, selling servitude.” This arose from carnality, selfishness, and “me-first” attitudes. “The middle letter of sin is I.” External enemies grieve when work begins, but internal greed destroys testimony faster. “The devil succeeds more inside than outside.” Tekoite nobles refused to work (3:5)—too “good” for menial tasks. Selfishness breeds trouble within the city.
2. The Performance of Promises Made
Nehemiah was furious. He consulted himself, rebuked nobles and rulers: “We redeemed our brethren sold to heathen—will you sell your own?” They held their peace. He called it wicked, dishonoring God before heathen. They promised to restore lands, vineyards, homes, and cancel usury. Nehemiah made them swear before priests. He shook his lap: “So God shake out every man who breaks this promise.” All said “Amen” and did it. Pastor Rains: “Promises are made to be kept—not broken.” (Deut. 23:21; Ps. 76:11; Eccl. 5:4–5). “If you promise God, keep it.” They performed their promise—changed behavior, restored justice.
3. The Personal Commitment of a Leader
Nehemiah testifies (vv. 14–19): For 12 years as governor, he and his household ate no governor’s bread. Former governors burdened the people with taxes, bread, wine, 40 shekels silver—servants ruled over them. Nehemiah refused. He continued wall work, fed 150 Jews and rulers daily (one ox, six sheep, fowls, wine every ten days), bought no land. “Because the bondage was heavy upon this people.” He prays: “Think upon me, my God, for good according to all I have done.” Pastor Rains: “A good leader sacrifices more than others. If you aspire to lead, make sacrifices God requires.” “What kind of church would it be if everyone was just like me?”
Trouble inside the city hurts most.
Selfishness & greed destroy faster than enemies outside.
Keep promises. Lead with sacrifice.
Will you stand against internal carnality?
Will you keep your promises to God?
Pastor Rains closes with fire: “Don’t be part of lupus in the body of Christ. Don’t mess with problems in the city. If you care about Jesus and Pastor Rains, don’t bring internal trouble.” In a world of broken walls, God needs pure hearts inside the city. Will you keep your promises and lead with commitment?
